Ask most people about their favourite teacher in school, and they’ll name someone who made a real difference to their life. Someone who pushed them when they needed it, made a subject click or gave them the confidence to really try.
Our new Teacher Impact Report reveals the numbers behind teacher appreciation – and uncovers a clear “thank you gap” between the impact teachers have and the appreciation they receive.
As thousands of teachers renew their Blue Light Card membership this summer, Blue Light Card is reminding eligible members of the teaching community to check their membership status, so they can continue accessing savings, rewards and benefits through the Blue Light Card app and website.
The Teacher Impact Report is a national research study looking into the long-lasting effects that teachers have beyond the classroom. The findings painted a clear picture: Brits know that teachers matter, but many haven’t said so.
We asked Brits which qualities teachers have helped them carry into adult life. Curiosity came out on top, named by one in five people. Confidence followed, cited by 19%, and resilience came third at 16%.
One key finding from our Teacher Impact Report is that many people only appreciate the role teachers have played years after leaving school.
On average, Brits say they do not fully appreciate teachers until their late 20s or early 30s – and the most common trigger named by 34% of people for that realisation is having children of their own. It’s only when people are on the other side of the school gate, watching a teacher show up for their own child, that the penny really drops.
The time it takes to realise teachers’ impact explains a lot of the thank you gap we found in our research. It means the appreciation and recognition that teachers deserve often comes too late, too quietly, or not at all.
Our research asked what would make a difference to teachers and school staff and help them feel appreciated. Blue Light Card CMO, Neil Caldicott, explains the responses:
“Over a third of Brits told us that exclusive perks and offers from brands would make teachers and staff feel more valued, and that's exactly the gap Blue Light Card exists to close. We're proud to stand alongside the people who show up for our communities every day, and teachers deserve to hear a proper thank you."
Teachers and school staff are eligible for Blue Light Card membership, giving them access to thousands of discounts from over 15,000 brands including retailers, travel providers and hospitality brands. Alongside teachers, NHS workers, emergency services, armed forces, social care workers and other frontline professions are also eligible for Blue Light Card.
Membership costs just £4.99 for two years.
The Teacher Impact Report was commissioned by Blue Light Card and conducted by LM Research and Consultancy in June 2026. The sample comprised 2,000 UK adults, nationally representative by age, gender and region.
The Teacher Impact Report reveals that 63% of Brits believe teachers should receive more recognition for the impact they have on society. Six in ten say they wish they had thanked a teacher, and 59% say they appreciate teachers more now than they did at school.
Curiosity, confidence and resilience were the top three qualities Brits said they took from teachers into adult life.
Over a third of Brits (33%) said perks and offers from brands would make teachers and school staff feel more valued.
Teachers and school staff are eligible for Blue Light Card membership. That includes teaching assistants (TAs), early years educators, education support staff and lunch supervisors. Not sure if that includes you? Use our Eligibility Checker to find out.
Log in to your account to check your membership status and renew.
Sign up to get started. Membership costs £4.99 for two years.
